How can I stop the tree roots from destroying my driveway?

What kind of tree is it? how old is it? did you plant the tree? many times the plants full potential is not taken into consideration when first planting leading to problems later.

That's a tough one. What type of tree is it? Many times people choose trees that they like, yet do not account for mature height. Poor placement is sometimes an issue too. When I purchased my house, I had to take down a bunch of trees because they were placed too close to the fences and property line. They would have dislodged the fences, then I would have been responsible for reconstructing all the fences. As much as I hate to take trees down, it had to be done.

If you hack and whack at the roots of the tree, it could compromise the stability, therefore it could fall over in high winds or heavy snow. You don't want it falling on your house, much less one of your neighbors.

My vote is to have a consult with a professional arborist to see how to proceed. Then plot your next cause of action. If you do have to take it down, and want to replace, ask the arborist what would grow well in the space, yet not have an invasive root system that would interfere with any hardscape and / or any utilities servicing the property.

A few ideas:

"When Tree Roots Burrow Under Your Sidewalk or Driveway

To remedy the situation, use the same steps you used while safeguarding your foundation:

• Install root barriers before the roots reach the concrete.
• Cut the roots and dam them with root barriers to prevent further growth.
• Cut down the tree and remove the root system so you can make a smooth, level surface again.

Talk to your local arborist for more information. He or she can tell you whether cutting the roots or the whole tree works better for your needs."